7 Surprising Places In Your Kitchen That Are Secretly Harboring Mold (And What To Do About It)

Michael Rubino

Not all mold growth in a home is a big event. Oftentimes, issues start hidden in small spaces and grow quietly. Here's how to stop it.

We tend to picture mold as the fuzzy green sweater on an abandoned block of cheddar. In reality, the most dangerous fungus in your kitchen isn’t on your food, it’s on the tools you use every single day.

Mold thrives on moisture and organic material. And when combined, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for spores to settle in and begin to grow. There are different types of mold, including allergenic, pathogenic, and the dreaded toxic mold, but the type commonly found in kitchens differs from the bacteria that cause food poisoning. However, it can still spoil food and trigger allergies, signaling that it's time to step up your cleaning routine.

We spoke with food safety and mold experts to uncover the sneaky spots where spores like to settle and how to stop them before they spread.